Directory-post and call-box



- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1'.

I J. T, FIELD. DIREGTORY POST AND CALL BOX.

4 No. 5'30,099. Patented Dec. 4, 1894.

wp zwyeddw "(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LJ. TQPIELD. DIRECTORY POST AND CALL. BOX.

No.5s0,099. l Patented Dec. 4, 1 94.

UNiTED STATES PATENT O FICE.

JOHN T. FIELD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

DIRECTORY-POST AN D CALL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,099, dated December 4, 1894.

Application filed January 18, 1394:. Serial No, 497,275. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN T. FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Directory-Posts and Call-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like lettersof reference refer to like parts wherever they occur, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the post assembled. Fig. 2 is a similar view taken removing or inserting the name plates ineither side, the hinged angle iron acting as a lock for both. Fig. 11 is a sectional View through the hinged angle iron, adjoining panels and name plates, showing the angle iron in a closed position.

My inventionrelates to a new and useful improvement in directory-posts and call-boxes, and consists, generally stated, in combining with a post upon which is arranged a directory for the adjacent streets, a number of call-boxes such as a fire-alarm,.police telephone call, police signaling alarm, and such other calls or alarms as may be useful, such as a telephone or signal for use by street railway systems, which connect with the central station, to notify the attendant in charge of breakages or accidents. To accomplish this object, the post is made hollow, and, preferably, square, into which the several call and signal boxes before referred to are received. If desired, a mail receptacle may also be arranged at the bottom of the post, as illustrated in the drawings. The post, as before stated, is preferably square in cross-section, and is formed of four panels A, two of which are solid and formed Fig. 7 is a detail view of the supwith cross-ribs a on their faces, which act in the capacity of spacers for the name plates a (shown in Fig. 5.) The sides of the post which are formed by these solid panelsholding the name plates are preferably turned toward the sidewalk, so as to exhibit the names of the persons residing on the adjacent streets, for one block, to the passers-by. These nameplates, as I have termed the pieces a, or signboards, as they are sometimes called, are made of sheet metal or other suitable material, and are oblong in shape, as shown in Fig. 5. The name plates are also designed to receive the numbers of the residences of the respective persons, besides their names. These posts are designed to be placed upon the four corners of intersecting streets, and each post is to be provided with call-boxes and signaling alarms, as before described.

The remaining two panels, forming the other sides, are preferably formed. with openings, which are closed by doors leading to the several call and signal boxes, while, at their bottoms, they may be provided with letterdrop openings and an opening for the extraction of the mail which may be received into a box contained in the post. All of these panels are preferably provided with outwardly extending feet at their bottoms, through the medium of which the post may be anchored or otherwise permanently secured in place. These panels are secured together at their upper ends by a cap-piece E, which is shown as being made in four sections, but it will be obvious that a hood formed of a single piece would also answer.

Angle irons D are arranged at the corners to hold the panels in place more securely, and on the corner at the junction of the two nameplate panels, the angle iron D is preferably hinged at d to one of the panels, and secured to the other by a suitable lock (1. By this construction, the angle iron may be swung around to'permit the removal and placement of name plates on either side. The name plates are held in place by the angle irons D which are secured immovably to the post, and by the swinging or hinged angle iron D, as shown in Fig. 10.

Projecting from the top of the panels, is a key 6 arranged at an angle to the panel, which key is adapted to co-operate with ways 6' on IOO - interior.

the under side of the cap sections, into which the keys are received, when the post is assembled, and when the cap sections are secured together the panels are also held. These cap sections E are preferablyformed with a tongue and over-lap on their respective contiguous edges, which alternate with each other in such manner that when the cap is assembled, the water is prevented from gaining access to the The apices of these sections are formed with projecting tongues or lugs e" which overlap each other and are formed with registering openings for receiving a looking bolt, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

A supplemental cap F is arranged to fit upon the apex formed by the four sections when assembled, through which supplemental cap the locking bolt is adapted to pass. Arranged upon this supplemental cap is a bell or gong G, whichis designed to be rung for purposes of calling policemen to the box to receive instructions, &c., from headquarters. This feature of locating a police call gong on the posts at each corner is of special value to a patrol system, in the matter of the headquarters being able at all times to locate the men in the different districts, to communicate with them, for purposes relating to that special department, such as guarding certain suburban avenues, to prevent the escape of criminals, the.

Projecting beneath the eaves of the cap piece, preferably at the diagonal corners, are electric lamps, which not only assist in the streetillumination, but light up the post, thus enabling persons to easily read the names on the name-plates, tho.

I support over the gong G, by posts or rods 71, a cover H, of such construction as to shed water to protect the bell, and, at the same time, reflect the sound. This latter is accomplished by arranging a downwardly-projecting reflector on the bottom of. the cover, as shown in Fig. 9.

I am aware that many minorchanges in the construction and arrangement of the several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a directory post, the combination with panels having transverse ribs on their faces, of angle irons which secure the panels together, said angle irons fitting over the corners of the ribs, plates which are spaced by the ribs and secured by the angle irons in place, and a hinged angle iron which swings horizontally to permit the insertion or removal of the plates from two sides, substantially as described.

2. In a directory post, the combination with panels having ribs arranged transversely their faces, angle irons arranged at the corners of the panels, one of which is hinged to swing horizontally, a lock for the hinged iron, tongued projections extending obliquely from the tops of the panels, and a cap or cover formed with ways which engage the tongues to hold the cap or cover in position, substantially as described.

In adirectory post, the combination with the panels, two of which are provided with ribs across their faces, the others being formed with openings leading to the interior, and provided with doors for the openings, angle irons for holding the panels together, said irons where they connect with the ribbed panels being arranged on the outer faces of the ribs so as to leave a space, plates which are arranged between the ribs and received in the spaces formed by the angle irons at the corners, and an angle iron hinged at its top and bottom at the junction of the two ribbed panels and adapted to swing horizontally, said hinged angle iron holding the plates against displacement on each side, substantially as described.

4. In a directory post, the combination with the panels, of name plates or sign boards which are adapted to be secured to some of said panels, angle irons for retaining said sign boards in position and holding the panels together, one or more of said panels being formed with openings giving access to the interior, doors for closing said openings, a cap piece for the post, and a bell mounted upon the cap piece, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 13th day of January, 1894.

JOHN T. FIELD.

W'itnesses:

F. R. CORNWALL, HUGH K. WAGNER. 

